AA offering free armed response for all women in South Africa

Following the discovery of multiple murdered women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni, the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa announced that it is making armed response accessible and free for all women in the country.

The organisation said that these victims were mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts to someone, and their senseless murders have left South Africa in deep shock, highlighting the safety concerns women face.

As a service with thousands of female members, the AA asked what it could do to actively promote and protect the lives of women in South Africa, and what it could do that would have a real and meaningful impact.

Since promoting accessible, affordable and safe mobility is fundamental to its work, the AA is making the free armed response its employees enjoy free for all women in the country.

“The service will be valid for thirty days from registration, will require a visit to our website to activate, and will be backed by numerous armed-response partners across South Africa,” the AA said.

“There are zero hidden fees or strings attached, and there will be no automatic fee opt-in after the thirty days.”

The AA explained that the process is simple and only requires women to register on its website, www.aa.co.za, sign up for armed response, and download the MyAA app and activate the free Armed Response service on the app.

“Your phone becomes your mobile panic button – help will be sent to you anywhere and anytime,” it added.

According to the AA, times like these call for public and private partnerships to find solutions, since coming home should not be a privilege reserved for some.

A tragedy

Automobile Association CEO, Bobby Ramagwede, said it is both sad and unfortunate that, as a society, South Africa has gotten to this place.

“This is the AA putting its hand up and saying to the women of South Africa, we see you, we hear you, and we want to help,” he added.

“We challenge all corporates to do the same; dig deep and do something; every action adds up and certainly makes a difference.”

Ramagwede urged all citizens to ensure that the women around them, be it an employee or family member, sign up for this potentially life-saving offering.

“This is an issue that won’t be solved in the short term. It is a systemic issue; the AA’s efforts serve as an interim remedy,” he added.

“It allows for a refocus by authorities on unacceptable crime levels and for priorities to be reestablished going forward.”

According to Ramagwede, it is in times of extreme adversity, when a basic need like personal safety is questioned, that it becomes the AA’s role to stop, reflect, and act.

“As an association that has been a part of the fabric of South Africa for almost a century, it is a privilege to do what we can to better the lives of women facing these challenges,” he said.

“This service offering will provide much-needed relief from the anxiety being experienced by so many every day.”

Ramagwede concluded that, ultimately, it is all of our duty to keep the women of South Africa safe, and not only in the short-term.